1/29/13 - Update/Edit:

As several have inquired about the timeline and were confused when i said her surgery was in May but she's been on a feeding tube for two years. The surgery was May of 2010. I was specifying the month only as a point of reference for the point at which the issue became critical (July 2010) and how long she was in the hospital that first time (into October 2010). She was also hospitalized for a few months in January 2011 when the stomache leak/infection spread through the diaphragm and into her lungs, and again the following spring and summer of 2011 for the same issues. Sorry for the confusion.

Also - I agree that the bulk of the issues centered around follow up care - which is why I was so specific about where and by whom she was being treated. But I quickly learned that such leaks and subsequent fistulas are NOT uncommon with this type of surgery - I never said they were the majority. Additionally Physicians who are now caring for her have previously cared for individuals who suffered similar, though not quite as critical, issues after having this type of surgery. So that is legitimate.

Good point on the Hipaa item - but I'm not sure that applies to family or friends sharing information they are aware of. I have no professional or legal obligation to her or her care and am not a POA or medical care provider.

Thanks to all who have read and responded - I'm still reading through them all.

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Original post:

I have not had gastric sleeve, but my sister has and this is her horror story. In the month after her May surgery, by Dr. Chua of Aurora Sinai in Milwaukee, my sister (Jane) came down with flu like symptoms. Although she contacted her primary physician, who was aware of the recent surgery, and I believe she had an office visit with Dr. Chua, nobody showed any concern about infection. This is despite the fact that EVERYBODY knows that infection mimics flu like symptoms and it was nowhere near flu season. Nobody ever did any scans post surgery to determine of there was any issue with the healing of the internal surgery area - even though I have since learned that other patients had experienced similar issues to what my sister was about to go through.

It turned out (after three ER visits in three days, despite the fact that I said I was worried about infection from the very first visit) that a staple hadn't held and that food/fluid had been leaking into her abdomen from the stomach causing a MASSIVE infection. By the time Aurora Lakeland in Elkhorn paid any attention to this she was almost dead. She barely made it through and it was literally touch and go for WEEKS!! AND that hospital wouldn't even treat her because they don't do bariatric surgeries - she had to be airlifted to Milwaukee.

What followed were numerous surgeries, months in ICU and then regular hospital (from July 4th weekend into October), an induced coma with her hands strapped to the bed so she wouldn't inadvertantly pull out tubes and wires, being intubated for breathing assistance, additional infections, memory loss of that entire time, and leaving on a feeding tube. She has been on that feeding tube for over two years now.

Oh she's thin alright. woohoo. But she gets her food from a bag hanging on an iv rack and has to grind her meds and flush them through the feeding tube line, as well as a drain that collects Fluid from her abdomen and open wounds that need daily care. She has NO muscles left. She probably couldn't walk a block if she was allowed to.

She came home from that hospital stay with a GIANT open wound the length of her abdomen - I mean it was big enough for me to stick both my hands into - and a wound vac installed in it to constantly vacuum up the fluid and goop that goes along with healing. That fluid drained into a plastic container that hung from tube(s) coming out of her abdomen - which she had to have with her always. It was all very painful and really gross.

That was just the first hospitalization. By January she was back in the hospital with another massive infection that had burned through her diaphragm and into her lungs. This time she spent her time in pulmonary ICU. You see they told her to start trying to eat - that they thought the holes in her stomach had closed, but they didn't do regular scans to verify this....again! They were wrong. Again.

Only this time her primary physician, Dr. Rosol of Aurora Lake Geneva, had diagnosed her with pneumonia over the phone and had given her a prescription not even strong enough to deal with pneumonia. So when she didn't get better, by the time the Aurora ER took her seriously she was again near death. This time they had to do lung surgery AND abdominal surgery to clear out and treat the raging infection caused by fluid and matter leaking from the stomach into everywhere.

So apparently this type of thing isn't that uncommon with this surgery, nor are the "fistulas" that develop as a result of this complication from this type of surgery. If the tissue around this fistula isn't so damaged that it can heal on its own it could take years. If it's damaged - as hers was from all that infection - there is no sewing it closed and it doesn't heal on its own. Imagine being on a feeding tube for the rest of your life - never tasting food, never enjoying a meal or a drink or a dessert or a holiday with your family again. Never a chocolate bar, or a bowl of Cereal, or a salad, or a glass of juice. NOTHING. All because someone convinced you that gastric sleeve surgery was the answer.

So if you are considering this surgery, don't. It's just not worth the risk. I know, if my sister could go back, she would choose fat over this lack of a life any day of the week. I grew up thin and am now fat and I would NEVER EVER EVER have a surgery to reduce my weight. Although I haven't been able to be disciplined enough to do it I know the only solution is eat less, move more. Two steps. The only solution.

They said "In the month after her May surgery" but did not state which May, nor that it was last year, etc. Why on earth would people decide that was this May? Those would not be the "facts" it would actually be supposition, and an incorrect one at that.

Not touching this hornets nest with a ten foot pole!!

All of us know someone who has had a serious problem after a medical procedure. I nearly died 12 years ago after a medical test went wrong. Heck, my daughter went into allergic shock from pineapple!

If this is a true story- which seems questionable due to a lot of inconsistencies-- how terrible.

That said, I found a surgeon who has done lots if these surgeries, is well known by my Gastroenterologist and pcp and is offering stellar pre surgery help and post surgery help. I don't think I would go an hour with a fever without calling the office.

And even with that, we have no guarantee of anything, even that we won't get hit by a bus crossing the street. This much I know, I will likely not live another 20 years at my weight. And, I am a chronic diet failure. My Gastro, allergist, dermatologist, neurologist and pcp are positive about my having this surgery. Looking forward to surgery Feb 28.

This surgery is preformed far too often and we see more and more stories like this because of it. I think about a third of the people who have the surgery should. Write your local media and representatives. This story should be told. I'd love to see people like me NOT be able to have this surgery. Not because I'm an idiot or didn't research, but because it's not a good choice for many. There are other options that should be exhausted first.

Iggy may I ask you a question.. When you say that people like you shouldn't have had the surgery, what do you mean? Is there something in your medical history that made it more dangerous for you?

Sorry the first part of that was from Iggy it didn't get the quote tags 0_o

No, actually quite the opposite Laura.

You certainly have the right to express your opinions. Within the confines of the forum's usage policy that you agreed to when you made your account. You should keep that in mind when you're "keeping it real".

I know the policy but I guess you must know it better than me so please enlighten me where does it say to ignore the facts and not to use common sense.Just "keeping it real"

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Can you expand on your answer then? I'm not being mean just would like to understand.

Great reminder to always call your surgeon in the first few months if you have ANY medical problem. They are the experts, not us, not the local ER an not family practice doctors. Thanks for the info, may God heal your sister.

From the way this story is written, one would assume she was talking about "MAY" of this year because of the way it is worded. I just asked the question if it indeed was this past May. I also know when you assume something it can make and a** of you and me. Right? If this is true, it is a terrible tragedy and in no way would I want to disrespect her or her sister in any way. It is true, however, that people do get on this forum and make up stories to get this kind of reaction and arguments going which is happening right now with some commenting on this post. Some of you are getting very angry and upset with other people. Why don't we all just understand that if this is true, it is a tragedy and if it isn't, this is very upsetting as well that someone would get on here and make up a story like this. Hopefully, the sister that wrote this can shed some light on this for us. Did I miss any of her other posts? I know this type of thing can happen and pray for all of you that had complications. Just all of you know that I wasn't being mean in any way. This is the most horrible story of complications I've heard yet. God bless her is this is true. Just terrible. For me, I hope this isn't true.

I can guarantee its someone who didn't get approved or someone who is scared to go thru it and is making things up to discourage other people only one post since they joined wow.....

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I believe her story about her sister it's amazing how you think someone would make something so sad up its not that serious ..sorry to hear about your sister

What exactly is the purpose of this story? And why did you post?

In my opinion she wanted ppl to be aware if the risk which we all kno about that risk but everyone story it different kno one has to respond to post like this the subject of the story says horror story explanatory

Yeah mods should probably lock this one up. Not seeing much constructive coming from it.

Sorry to hear about your sister' date=' but first off you're violating her privacy and HIPAA by releasing her medical history publicly on the net. I had the surgery new years eve. I knew leaks were a possibility as does anyone else who has this surgery. Hell you can die on the table giving birth to a child - do you think every woman should quit going through child birth? It's a known risk you take - sorry it happened to your sister.[/quote']

A HIPAA violation only occurs when someone's protected health information (PHI) is exposed. She never mentioned her sisters first & last name.

It's tragic and a sad reality and one that is discussed prior to surgery so you can make the best choice for your personal situation.

Surgery is scary. All surgeries.

My heart goes out to all those who suffer complications from any surgery.

I just recently had two emergency surgeries and the complications that I was informed about scared me to death but so did dying from kidney failure. I did the surgeries.

Always make an informed decision but it never is 100% risk free.

And please have compassion, you never know when it will be you needing compassion and help from others.